10 Popular Resort Kid's Programs

In addition, each week includes a field trip and guest entertainment corresponding with that week’s theme. The Mad Science and Amazing Magic themed week in August includes a field trip to the nearby Fort Lauderdale Museum of Science and Discovery with a mad scientist guest where kids will be able to learn about the cool side of science through a variety of hands-on activities. 

Why We Like This Program:  We love that this program includes a field trip.  This is great for the older kids to help them learn more about the local area.

2.  Ponte Vedra Inn and Club – Kids Summer Camp – Ponte Vedra, Florida

Each themed camp week features a flexible program of fun activities for children four to 12 years of age directed by a trained staff of recreational counselors. Weekly themes include Little Historians, Sports Fans, Foodies, Games Shows and more.

In addition to traditional summer camp fun, each day will have a special activity showcasing that week’s theme; the Animal Lovers week includes a birdhouse making activity on Monday, sea turtle tutorial with a sea turtle rescue on Tuesday, Jacksonville Zoo field trip on Wednesday, make your own aquarium activity on Thursday and ocean animals on Friday.

Why We Like This Program:  You can choose the best program for your child depending on their likes and dislikes.  Tailor your vacation dates to the specific weekly program.

3.  El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort  – Camp Coqui – Fajardo, Puerto Rico

For example, during the “Coqui Kids in the Kitchen Day,” kids can enjoy food-themed activities such as making piraguas, which are popular pyramid-shaped Puerto Rican snow cones, while on the “Fun in the Sun Day,” kids can enjoy beach activities such as sand sculpting on the resort’s 100-acre private island, Palomino Island.

Why We Like This Program:  Not only do kids get to enjoy themselves at the beach and in the kitchen, but they get to learn about the history of Puerto Rico and it’s natural surroundings.

4.  Azul Hotels by Karisma – Azulitos / Nickelodeon Experience – Riviera Maya, Mexico

About the Resort:  Karisma Hotels and Resorts, an award-winning luxury hotel collection which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, comprises an impressive portfolio including El Dorado Spa Resorts and Hotels, Azul Hotels and Villa by Karisma, Generations Resorts by Karisma, Allure Hotels by Karisma and Karisma Hotels Adriatic.  Properties have been honored with the industry’s top accolades including Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World.” Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 30 Hotels in Cancun,” TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice “Best Family Resort in the World.” and “Best Hotels for Romance.” and AAA’s “Four Diamond Award.”  Karisma has received worldwide recognition for its creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations.  For reservations and a full list of Karisma properties, please visit www.karismahotels.com.

About the Resort: Velas Vallarta is an all-inclusive family resort located on 10 acres of oceanfront with lush gardens in Puerto Vallarta, walking distance of Marina Vallarta Golf Course and just minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Situated on the emerald waters of Banderas Bay, Velas Vallarta features 345 suites in three eight-story buildings, a high-tech Convention Center that can accommodate up to 700 people, three swimming pools, a rejuvenating spa along with spa cabins seaside, fitness center, multiple restaurants, and an inviting lounge with live music. Nightly theme dinners and local specialties are sure to please even the most discerning palate, and room service is available around the clock. When it comes to daytime and evening entertainment, guests can choose from an exciting and original array of activities and events, from making piñatas and jewelry, yoga on the jetty to Mexican fiestas and casino nights. The recently renovated Kids’ Club also welcomes children under 13 with supervised activities like treasure hunt, face painting, sand castles to crafting with beads, allowing parents to indulge in a choice of exciting or relaxing pursuits like a game of golf, a variety of excursions or pampering at the spa. In addition, the resort was one of the first in the destination with a Green Globe certification, dating back to 2008. PuertoVallarta features championship golf courses, world-class spas and magnificent beaches, not to mention various sports and activities up in the Sierra Madre Mountains. The possibilities for rest and relaxation, or fun and excitement, are endless.Velas Vallarta was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, majority owner, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela by his side, vice president of Velas Resorts.  Visit www.velasvallarta.com to learn more.

8.  Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf and Spa Resort – Adventure Kids Club – Los Cabos, Mexico

Program Details:  Parents looking for a little personal time and kids looking for a lot of fun will delight in our Sheraton Adventure Club.  Kids can come spend an hour, a half day, or a full day making friends and expanding their horizons with supervised indoor and outdoor activities.  Their professionally trained staff members are Red Cross- and CPR-certified, and all share a passion for caring for and entertaining children.

Whether playing board and video games, making crafts, learning Spanish, or just splashing around in the kids’ pool, your children will have the time of their lives while you relax and enjoy your well-deserved time off.

Availability:  Year-round

Ages: 4 – 12

Cost: —

Extras: We’re happy to organize special events like birthday parties for your children. Please call the Kids Club at least 24 hours in advance to start planning.

Why we like this program: The kids don’t have to be stuck inside all day during this program.  They have an enormous pool area for the kids complete with a splash pad and water slide.  The staff is really friendly and speaks multiple languages.

About the Resort:  The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort offers a variety of options for guests to enjoy a romantic getaway. The resort can help create romantic memories to last a lifetime, from breathtaking wedding venues, to peaceful honeymoon retreats to romantic anniversary celebrations.

For more information on the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort, or to make reservations, please call 52-624-145-8000 or visit www.sheratonloscabos.com.

9.  South Seas Island Resort – Skully’s Family Interactive Center – Captiva Island, Florida

Program Details:  Skully’s Family Interactive Center, located at the North Pointe at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, is home to the Activities Galley, Little Matey’s Discovery Center, Skully’s Arcade and ScoutAbout Headquarters. The center offers a wide range of family and kids’ activities such as turtle tot programs, the creative corner, family and social programs, kite making, crab racing, lawn games, kids’ night out, and more.

Turtle Tot Programs

Together, parents and toddlers learn and create themed crafts and activities guided by the resort’s creative Recreation staff. Programs are ideal for ages 12 months to 4 years. Parents must accompany children to these activities. Cost is free and is open daily at 9:00a.m.

Creative Corner

All ages are welcome to participate in the featured craft of the day. In the Activities Galley, kids can create a masterpiece every day, painting coconuts, tye-dye T-shirts, nature pals, mosaics, and more! Guests may check the Activities Calendar for times and fees.

Family and Social Programs

Families can enjoy fun activities throughout the day. Lawn Games, Poolside BINGO, Kite Making, Crab Racing, Log Rolling and more! The Go! Fish program is a catch and release program taught by resident fishing experts. Go! Fish teaches participants to respect the water and fish that live within it. This activity is a popular family program. Guests may check Activities Calendar for times and fees.

Kids’ Night Out

This night out is designed for kids ages 4 – 11 and is supervised by seasoned recreation professionals. Enjoy fun themed nights filled with crafts and games. Dinner & dessert is included. Guests may check Activities Calendar for times and fees.

Skully’s Arcade

The arcade features a wide variety of coin-operated machines including virtual reality games, racing games, air hockey and more. Children under 12 years old should be accompanied by an adult 16 years of age or older.

Teen Programs

Wii Tournaments, Scavengoogle, Game Nights and more are a great way to meet new friends and have fun doing interactive activities.

Availability:  Year-round

Ages:  12 mo – 16 years+

Cost: Varies

Why We Like This Program:  This program has something for every age.  If you need to take some time to play with your tiny tots, the Turtle Tot program is perfect.  We also love the Kids’ Night Out for ages 4 – 11.

About the Resort:  A 330-acre destination beach resort and wildlife preserve, South Seas Island Resort is located on Captiva Island, just off the Florida Gulf Coast. With two and a half miles of exclusive white-sand beaches, the resort is designed to take advantage of its renowned location, offering a destination rich in recreation and surrounding native wildlife. The resort boasts 471 accommodations ranging from guestrooms and suites, one to three bedroom condominiums, and private home rentals, all featuring balconies or lanais to enjoy water views and wildlife. The resort features an array of activities for guests of all ages with 20 swimming pools, beachfront golf, tennis, full service spa, waterfront dining options, children’s programs, watersports and boutique shopping. In addition, guests delight in world-class shelling, eco-cruises and nature tours, epic fishing, fitness center and yoga studio, an on-site photography studio, painting classes and special event and meeting space. 

For more information, please visit www.southseas.com.

10.  Beaches Resorts – Kids Camp – Turks and Caicos, Negril and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Program Details: At the all-inclusive Beaches properties, they offer tailor-made fun for kids of all ages.  Each age-appropriate activity is supervised by a caring staff that feels just like family.

Infant Program

From the smallest newborn to those up to 24 months, your baby is in the very best hands at Beaches. Luxurious, climate-controlled nurseries-filled with cribs, strollers, high chairs, rocking chairs and everything your little one could ever need await to cradle them in the very lap of luxury. Our Certified Nannies love nothing better than to coddle, care for and bring smiles of delight to their little faces.

Operating Hours: 9am to 9pm (Hours vary at each resort)

Some camps open an hour earlier to accommodate parents going on the early scuba-diving trip.

Toddler Program

At Kids Camp, three to five year-olds can truly have a blast with their very own set of activities, supervised by Certified Nannies. There’s energy to burn and we’ll make sure that your tyke has ample opportunities to have fun and play happy; toddler pools, shell collecting, face painting, treasure hunts, puppets, costume time, magic shows, sand castle building just to name a few. Children must be potty-trained to participate in this age group.

Operating Hours: 9am to 9pm (Hours vary at each resort)

Some camps open an hour earlier to accommodate parents going on the early scuba-diving trip.

Pre-teens Program

Not yet a tween or teen, sometimes it can be hard to contain all the exuberance of youthful spirits. At Beaches, we celebrate this energy and channel it into an unending slew of fun-filled activities for this ever-active age group. Sailing, snorkeling (ages 8-10), swimming, beach volleyball, beach soccer, scavenger hunts, glass bottom boat rides, pizza making, reggae jam sessions and an unbelievable array of incredible options abound! At Beaches, we’re dedicated to making sure that, from morning until sunset, your children have a blast.

Operating Hours: 9am to 9pm (Closed from 5pm to 6pm)

Teens Program

Teens definitely talk their own talk and walk a different walk. So we make sure that they have their own special spaces and places to play it their way. From pizza bars to soda bars, to their own “nightclub” with karaoke, we give teens their own scene all day and places to hang each evening. Teens will enjoy group watersports, boat cruises, pool olympics, tennis clinics, karaoke, discos, dance parties, talent shows and much more…

After Camp Care Program

After Kids Camp closes, professional nanny care is offered to guests at a charge.

• Beaches Turks & Caicos: US$15/hr. After 11PM, clients are required to pay an additional US$20 for nanny’s transportation.
• Beaches Ocho Rios: US$10/hr. After 11PM, US$15/hr
• Beaches Negril: US$10/hr. After 11PM, $15/hr and an additional US$20 for nanny’s transportation.

Rates cover 1-3 children. A second nanny is required for larger groups. Payments can be made with cash or by room charge. Rates posted are for reference and subject to change without notice.

Special Needs Program

Children with special needs may require a one to one nanny. This service is offered so that they can actively participate in all activities with the special care and support they need.

There is a fee of US$8/hour for this service.

Operating Hours: 9am to 9pm (Hours vary at each resort)

Some Camps open an hour earlier to accommodate parents going on the early scuba-diving trip.

Availability:  Year-round

Ages:  Newborn – 18+

Cost: Varies per location – mostly all-inclusive

Why We Like This Program: Beaches offer the most detailed kids’ program we’ve ever experienced.  The entire Turks and Caicos resort is kid-centric and is an ideal family-friendly Caribbean destination.  The staff is some of the friendliest we have ever met and truly makes the resort feel like a home away from home for the kiddos.  Upon arrival, the concierge gives you an itinerary of activities going on at the resort, sort of like a cruise.  This is super helpful and ensures that you don’t miss a beat.

About the Resort: When you’re looking for the best family vacations in the Caribbean, there’s no place better than Beaches, where their all-inclusive family vacations offer something for everyone, from unlimited land and water sports to gourmet dining choices for every palate. Grown-ups will enjoy up to 13 bars serving premium brand liquors and varietals Mondavi wine. Kids and teens will get a variety of fun activities, with sprawling water parks, Xbox Play Lounge and the Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street®.  Best of all, everything is included at our family all-inclusive resorts.  Visit www.beaches.com to learn more.

Tips

Something that I have learned over the years of traveling with my kids is that you should plan ahead with the kids’ programs.  Most of the time, we arrive at a resort and completely forget about the schedule of activities planned for kids.  We end up jumping into the activities at the last minute, completely unprepared.  Check out the kids’ programs online before your trip and ask the concierge for a schedule for the duration of your trip.

Sometimes smaller kids have trouble going into the childrens’ programs, but once they are in the program without mom and dad, they seem to do okay.  Start small by signing them into the program during one dinner or lunch and see how it goes.

The week before your trip, sit down at the computer with your kids to show them the fun activities that they will have access to.  This almost always helps my four-year-old.  She doesn’t like to be unprepared and thrown into things on vacation, so watching YouTube videos from guests or browsing the resort’s gallery is a great way to introduce her to the kids’ program and activities.